Frequently Asked Questions

Are you trained for emergencies? 

Yes-- My midwifery training has prepared me for managing emergent situations including resuscitation, hemorrhage, dehydration, as well as knowing when to seek a higher level of care for these things and other pregnancy, labor/birth, and postpartum complications. 

I attend training to renew my Neonatal Resuscitation and CPR certifications at least once every 2 years (but, more often when the opportunities arise). I also attend regular Midwifery Workshop trainings to ensure that I am up to date on the most effective tools to manage emergent situations and provide evidence-based care.

These are benefits of hiring a Midwife for your birth-- We have the tools you may need. And if you don't need them, then we just let birth unfold exactly how it was meant to!

When do we meet?

We'll start with a virtual phone consultation to make sure that we're a good match and to determine if homebirth midwifery care is a good fit for your pregnancy. I do require a non-refundable deposit to hold your spot in my practice, and once that has been paid we will schedule your first prenatal visit between 10-12 weeks, since this is the soonest we can hear your baby's heartbeat with a doppler. More information about what care looks like can be found on the Midwifery Care page.

What kind of births do you support?

As a Community Midwife, I support natural births that are planned to occur within the home setting. I am not a Certified Nurse Midwife that manages births in the hospital.

At home, I offer Midwifery support for both "land" and waterbirths... in whatever position your body decides to have your baby in. If waterbirth is something that you're interested in, I also supply all of the extra/necessary items that are needed at no additional cost, such as: hoses, sump pump, birth pool, liner, adapter, etc. All you'd have to supply is a few extra towels, the water itself, and a place to set up the pool!

How much do you charge? Do you accept payment arrangements? Do you accept insurance?

Midwifery Fee & Payment Arrangements

My midwifery package is available using a sliding scale. While there is a discount for paying for services in full at the time of hire, it is not expected and I do offer bi-weekly or monthly payment arrangements. The full fee is expected at or before 36 weeks of pregnancy. This ensures that Homebirth Midwifery care is available to all income brackets. More detailed information about what all this entails can be found under Services.

Insurance Information

Most insurance plans do not cover homebirth in Ohio at this time. However, I am able to provide you with an invoice once the balance has been paid in full that can be given to your insurance company or a biller to request reimbursement through the insurance company. They may or may not reimburse you. I do hope that, over time, this changes in a way that is sustainable for both the families that I serve, as well as for Midwives as a whole.

*Christian Health Ministries and Samaritan Health are anomalies that will usually pay for a homebirth midwife. 

*I CAN also accept payments directly from HSA cards, for those who have HSA accounts.

What is your experience?

I began my journey with birth in January of 2021, after having my own homebirth in January of 2020. First, I started out as a doula, attending both hospital births and planned homebirths, with the intentions of becoming a homebirth midwife. While working as a doula, I applied for and started midwifery school and worked under a midwife who was my preceptor to attend the required births needed to fulfill my training for several years. She was able to provide me with a lot of clinical experiences, and teach me the hands-on aspect of midwifery. I completed my midwifery school training through The Midwives College of Utah in August of 2024, earning my BSM. In November of 2024, I sat for and completed the NARM exam, which is the credentialing exam for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs). Currently, I am persuing my Masters Degree in Midwifery, and hope to graduate in 2026.

As of November 2024, I have attended a total of around 80 births, with the majority being homebirths.

Midwife? Doula? What's the difference? 

Midwives are not Doulas. But, midwives love to attend births with doulas, and we enjoy working closely with them to best support you!

Midwives are medical professionals with a trained specialty in maternity care. They are also trained in complications and emergency situations, and knowledgeable about when seeking a higher level of care is appropriate. Many Midwives, including myself, have gone through several years of extensive hands-on training and schooling in order to be prepared in both normal and emergent situations. Homebirth Midwives provide in-depth prenatal care as your maternity care provider, and offer intermittent monitoring to verify the well-being of your baby throughout labor. We are able to provide insight during labor, take your vitals, and can also complete cervical exams if you are interested in them. Many of us work in a small "birth team" unit of 2-3 trained birth attendants for the birth itself (Midwives, Student Midwives, Birth Assistants, etc.). Midwives give you the space that you need to labor, help catch your baby when they are born, and ensure the well-being of both you and your baby. If help is needed, Midwives have the training needed to resuscitate your baby if they need some rescue breaths for a better transition into life here on Earth, and we are also well-equipped to manage excessive blood loss after the birth. Once everyone is settled and comfortable,  Midwives look over your baby and complete a full newborn exam, and then continue to support you and your baby during your postpartum recovery.

Doulas are a birth support person. They are skilled in the birth setting and often have tips or tricks to help keep your comfortable and encourage your baby Earth-side. Most Doulas have gone through some form of Doula training, and have attended several births. They live and breathe labor and birth, and are very comfortable with it. Having so much hands-on experience at births means that they have the skill to read the room and know what tools you might find helpful during different points of labor. Doulas do not take the place of your partner or other support people, but rather help amplify those there to support you. They may offer a cold washcloth during transition, offer counterpressure during contractions, teach your partner some helpful tricks to help bring your comfort, refill your beverages, or bring you snacks to munch on to keep your morale and energy levels high. They are your advocate and an extra set of hands. Sometimes they arrive during the early stages of labor, before your midwife (or before it is time to leave for the hospital, if you are planning a hospital birth), and they stay present until after the birth of your baby and until you are settled. Doulas do not provide any medical assistance, complete cervical exams, take vitals, etc. 

Do you take pictures during labor & birth?

Myself and the birth team can take pictures/videos during your labor and birth, if you'd like us to... But we don't substitute for a birth photographer. Please consider hiring a birth photographer for the highest quality photos of this birth. My #1 job is to make sure that you and your baby are safe, and at times my hands may be busy managing birth (or, too messy...). Many birth photographers offer a discount if a midwife refers you to them as well-- so be sure to ask and let them know I sent you! Photographers that I love and recommend can be found on the Community Resources page.

Are you able to order labs and ultrasounds? 

Yes to both! I've split up the detailed information about what is offered for each of these below: 

Lab Work Information

 I am able to order any lab work that is desired for your pregnancy. While I offer access to a variety of labs, I do not expect each and every family to need all of them... you get to choose which ones you feel would give us the information needed to help you make informed choices for your personalized care. Labs do have to be paid for out of pocket, but due to access to provider pricing they are typically very inexpensive. After ordering, lab draws are completed by a phlebotomist at a LabCorp location near you, by appointment only.

Here are some common lab tests that people may be interested in during pregnancy:

Additionally, if any lab work was completed with another care provider, I can simply add those results to your chart with a copy of your medical record.


Ultrasound Information

While I do not personally perform diagnostic ultrasounds, I am able to refer you to providers that will perform your ultrasounds without a significant financial burden to you, whether that be a dating scan, a gender reveal scan, or an anatomy scan at 20 weeks. I typically refer clients to Ultrasona, located in Columbus, OH. You can visit their website to check over the different ultrasounds that they offer and the costs associated with each one. Please let me know if you have any questions.

...Basically, any options available to you for testing, labs, ultrasounds, etc. with an OB-GYN office are also available to you through my practice as well. Many clients find that it is significantly cheaper than with in-hospital based provider, too.

Are you able to suture if i tear at home?

Vaginal lacerations are less likely to occur in the home setting. However, if this does occur, most are able to be sutured at home, especially if they are 1st or 2nd degree tears (which are the most common). Very rarely, significant lacerations may require transport to the hospital to be repaired if the tear would impact the function of the vagina or bowel movements. You and myself alike would like for everything to be in working order-- I promise.

What areas do you serve?

I generally serve areas that are within approximately 60 minutes of Dayton, OH. This map shows a general area, but some clients I serve are right on the edges, too. If you are unsure if I serve your area, please submit a contact request form! 

** I will not attend births in the state of Indiana, as I am not licensed there. 


Do you keep medical records?

Yes-- My midwifery practice provides each client with their own Electronic Health Record (EHR) log-in. This holds records for each prenatal visit, birth records, postpartum visits, informed consent forms that we will discuss together throughout care, lab results, educational materials, and more. This charting system is HIPAA compliant.

What about the birth certificate? 

I will ensure that all documents are in order for your baby's birth certificate. Usually, we go over this together at a postpartum visit. After all forms have been filled out and signed, you are only responsible for having it filed. This is a pretty simple process, and I will provide all of the directions that you need to make it as smooth as possible once everything has been completed. After filing this paperwork, your baby's social security card will automatically be issued and you can request a birth certificate-- just like it would be if you birthed at the hospital!

What things do you enjoy?

I enjoy lots of things! 

I'm a Christian, and enjoy spending time in God's Word and teaching my children biblical principles. I also enjoy spending time in my messy garden and growing things that we can preserve through canning. I'm also a homeschooling mama, wanna-be indoor plant enthusiast, resourceful composter and recycler of new-to-me things. I consider myself to be mostly "crunchy," but I also hit up the drive-thrus when I'm on the road. And in my free-time, I'm usually either reading, researching the most current maternity science articles, or catching up on sleep from long births.